When the earthquake hit San Francisco during the World Series in 1989, we were riding Universal Studios relatively new display… “Earthquake”. Irony at its best. We continue to enjoy our vacation despite the tragedy that had befallen San Francisco. There were no lines in which to wait for a trolley. No lines at the wax museums. Restaurants were under crowded for a change. All in all, it was almost as if we received preferential treatment. Not to mention the fact that we were there while history had been made.
Throughout time endless numbers of people have gone to the aid of their fellow mankind. After the terrorist attack in New York, after Katrina devastated New Orleans and more; people traveled to those destinations to help other people. Granted, it wasn’t all fun and games. But it was fulfilling and still possible to enjoying the areas lesser affected by the tragedy. The best news yet… it was a tax write off! Any out-of-pocket expenses that you incur that are directly a result of your volunteering post disaster are tax deductible.
Of course you cannot have been reimbursed by anyone else, and they cannot be considered deductible if they can be deemed personal expenses. That’s pretty broad, though. Let’s say for instance you want to deduct your transportation costs. Car maintenance, gas, train, airlines, parking fees, buses and tolls are covered. Your meals and lodging are absolutely considered to be deductible. Since you’re using this for a vacation, be careful not to include costs that are obviously related to vacation expenses. It goes without saying, that those are not deductible. It also goes without saying that those accommodations you write off cannot be a five star hotel and restaurants. Use your head and try not to go overboard.
They were touring London in a double-decker bus as the underground bombings shook London to its core. Suicide bombers had attacked and bombed buses and ‘tube trains’ killing 52 commuters. And just when you thought it was safe to vacation in Mumbai, the Indian Metropolitan city was inundated by terrorist attacks. They remain inspired by the amazingly quick recovery of the Indian City. In all three cases, the couple remained unharmed. Talk about your preferential treatment. They are able to maintain their sense of humor about the whole thing however. They see it as a strange coincidence. It might even make a good book. Maybe someone will write an article about them!
“No,” the woman replied. “Our airline put us through to Miami because there was a storm on the way.”
What’s that I smell…? Is it a complete reimbursement for the honeymoon? Free tickets to and from anywhere…. for life! Imagine the savings!
This article was written by guest contributor of cheap-buys.com where users can find cheap travel coupons for expedia, cheaptickets, and more.
Of course I brought home the obligatory tee shirts; Shake, rattle and roll… San Francisco earthquake 1989… 7.1 and something about having survived the quake while visiting Alcatraz. As harsh as it may sound, areas of devastation are not only inexpensive places to visit and cut way back on the waiting lines… It’s also a place that if you choose, you can pitch in and throw a little charity their way by volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and other post-crisis volunteer services. Give a little – get a little.
Writing off New Orleans post Hurricane Katrina, New York City Post 9/11 and Bali post terrorist attacks
Throughout time endless numbers of people have gone to the aid of their fellow mankind. After the terrorist attack in New York, after Katrina devastated New Orleans and more; people traveled to those destinations to help other people. Granted, it wasn’t all fun and games. But it was fulfilling and still possible to enjoying the areas lesser affected by the tragedy. The best news yet… it was a tax write off! Any out-of-pocket expenses that you incur that are directly a result of your volunteering post disaster are tax deductible.
Of course you cannot have been reimbursed by anyone else, and they cannot be considered deductible if they can be deemed personal expenses. That’s pretty broad, though. Let’s say for instance you want to deduct your transportation costs. Car maintenance, gas, train, airlines, parking fees, buses and tolls are covered. Your meals and lodging are absolutely considered to be deductible. Since you’re using this for a vacation, be careful not to include costs that are obviously related to vacation expenses. It goes without saying, that those are not deductible. It also goes without saying that those accommodations you write off cannot be a five star hotel and restaurants. Use your head and try not to go overboard.
Accidental post tragedy vacations
A certain English couple who shall remain nameless seem like your normal everyday couple. One works in a dental lab and the other as a sales manager; they enjoy luxurious, well-planned vacations. As fate would have it however, on three separate occasions (vacations), theirs were not the only plans in the making. Three well-planned terrorist attacks would take place in three different vacation locations, all involving this couple. In 2001, the couple was vacationing in New York City during the 911 attacks. The news quickly spread that over 3000 people were feared dead after the hijacked planes crashed the World Trade Center.They were touring London in a double-decker bus as the underground bombings shook London to its core. Suicide bombers had attacked and bombed buses and ‘tube trains’ killing 52 commuters. And just when you thought it was safe to vacation in Mumbai, the Indian Metropolitan city was inundated by terrorist attacks. They remain inspired by the amazingly quick recovery of the Indian City. In all three cases, the couple remained unharmed. Talk about your preferential treatment. They are able to maintain their sense of humor about the whole thing however. They see it as a strange coincidence. It might even make a good book. Maybe someone will write an article about them!
Fly away honeymoon
The newlyweds in route to their honeymoon in Saint Lucia wondered why their plane was nearly empty; and why their flight to Saint Lucia had been canceled. They were arriving in Puerto Rico when upon landing received the news… A category four Hurricane Georges was making its way through the area with Puerto Rico in its sights. It would be upon them by sundown. Despite their pleas to the airline to “get us out of here”… they were stranded. They ended up holdup in the ballroom of a hotel with glass shattering and steel shutters banging all around them. The storm eventually subsided and they continued on to Saint Lucia where they spent the rest of their honeymoon. Upon the flight home, they ran into a husband and wife who had flown out on the exact same day. “Did you get nailed by the hurricane too?” they asked the couple.“No,” the woman replied. “Our airline put us through to Miami because there was a storm on the way.”
What’s that I smell…? Is it a complete reimbursement for the honeymoon? Free tickets to and from anywhere…. for life! Imagine the savings!
This article was written by guest contributor of cheap-buys.com where users can find cheap travel coupons for expedia, cheaptickets, and more.